W.O. #9 – A Shade of Yellow

As usual, I decided to take a sad route here, but I like it.

WRITING OPPORTUNITY #9
Pick one color. Pick one thing lost. Pick one thing found. Pick one person. 250 words.

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Late afternoon sunshine beamed through the open blinds like stripes of highlighter. A wave of panic swelled her chest at the realization that the day was expiring fast.

She plopped herself on the plush sofa and smoothed out her canary-hued skirt.

Commotion — the ease of life — hummed around her in the lobby. The smiles, waves, handshakes, and hugs that came with recognition caused her to feel dreadfully out of place. Quickly shifting focus away from any human activity, she became startled but then fixed on her reflection in a mirroring vase holding a batch of vibrant daffodils.

She pulled on one of her blonde curls and instantly felt very juvenile. But, then again, wasn’t this what it was all about — connecting with her childhood, piecing the clues together to get to this day, in this lobby? Of course she regressed to her younger self.

She immediately wanted to go to the bathroom to reassess her outfit, hair, makeup, mannerisms, views on controversial topics, whether she was truly a cat or dog person.

NO! STAY PUT!

Just. Be. Patient.

She straightened her back, took a gulping breath, and let it out carefully as if her respiratory system would methodically dismantle if she slumped.

She desperately scanned the lobby for a distraction. Her hands slipped into her skirt’s pockets where the brass key tickled her left hand’s fingertips. She didn’t plan on bringing it, but relief rushed over her knowing it made its way on this journey.

She pressed into the key’s ridges and watched the sun go down.